Base recalls POW/MIA

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Carter
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Travis Air Force Base held a 24-hour run/walk, luncheon and recognition ceremony Sept. 15 and 16 as part of the 2016 Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Remembrance Day.

“I think it is important that we remember and pay respect to those members who have served and made sacrifices before us,” said Master Sgt. Michael Farr, 821st Contingency Response Support Squadron. “It also gave our Airmen from around Travis a chance to interact with former POWs, which is something that doesn't happen every day.”

The run/walk took place at the blue track and featured groups running and walking with the U.S. flag, POW/MIA flag and two batons continuously for a full 24 hours.

“The funds that were raised from the POW/MIA T-shirts were used to make a $1,000 donation to the National League of Families in honor of Mike O'Connor, former Vietnam POW and our guest speaker,” said Farr.

More than 70 servicemembers attended a luncheon, which featured 25 former POWs.

“It allowed Travis Airmen and their families to sit down and have lunch with former POW's and their family members,” said Farr. 

The 2016 POW/MIA Remembrance Day concluded with a recognition ceremony, including former POW guest speaker, Mike O’Conner, at the base flag pole honoring the past and present POW/MIAs.

“The event has really given me a chance to meet some wonderful people and hear their stories about their time as POWs,” said Farr. “This is a time in my career that I will always remember.”